Nice in Nice for ex-Bayern hero Dante
Monday, September 26, 2016
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All is not lost for Nice despite an opening-day defeat, with ex-Bayern defender Dante hoping his "experience can help the whole group" as they bid to make it through the group stage.
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One of the crown jewels in an ambitious Nice side, along with Mario Balotelli, Brazilian centre-back Dante discusses the French club's ambitions with UEFA.com. The 32-year-old former Mönchengladbach and Bayern man also reflects on the best season of his career so far.
On returning to France with Nice ...
When you already know the language [from Dante's two years with LOSC Lille], it makes it a bit easier to settle in. And as for the new challenge: it's a young team, a team with a coach who I know – Lucien Favre, we worked together in Germany – so it's a very good challenge, very interesting. It's also a team that's growing bigger in France and who had a great last season. So hopefully my experience can help the whole group. The atmosphere in the stadium is a bit like in Brazil, so I'm very happy.
On matchday one, we had some players who were playing in Europe for the first time, so that wasn't easy. Before the game we tried to give them some advice – that it was their first match but they had to play with freedom, with personality, and get into the challenges, be strong and have that winning spirit. Even though we lost, we can still go a long way. We've got a big squad, and I think the first thing we need to do is concentrate on winning the next two matches and qualifying for the next round.
On mentoring younger players ...
I think it's a great pleasure to help younger players and see them progress. Nice have a very good youth system, they develop a lot of good players and you can see that. It's quite a young squad with some good players, and now it's up to us to work hard every day to continue the progress.
When you have played at a big club with big players, you automatically pick up that experience of playing in the UEFA Champions League, and that means the younger players respect you so you can talk to them and help them. But I never act like I'm above them, I'm just like a father who helps them. One day I also want to see them win the Champions League, which was the greatest experience in my life.
On Bayern's 2012/13 treble ...
Was that the best season of my career? Of course, without a doubt. We won everything, and I also played for the Brazilian national team, so it was a magical year. Josep Guardiola taught me quite a lot as well. You don't even need to discuss his qualities, because everywhere he goes he implements his philosophy. Now he's at Manchester City, you can already see that the team has his signature style. He's very knowledgeable, he can get to half-time and already know what he needs to change for his team to win the match. That's phenomenal, and it was an honour to work with him.
I learned with the players, and I took on that half-warrior spirit more and more. And I was able to win trophies, which was something I'd always dreamt about. I always prayed for them, but I didn't know if I'd be able to do it. Those moments will always stay in my heart, and I'll always treasure them – but my career isn't over yet!
